Climbing around Paris
Far from alpine peaks or southern cliffs, the ĂŽle-de-France region offers seasoned climbers eager for verticality a multitude of options. Besides the legendary rocks of Fontainebleau which, in certain sectors, provide the most alpine atmosphere. Sport climbing enthusiasts are not left out with several sites, often unknown, accessible from the capital. The absence of notable relief in the Paris basin has not prevented a handful of enthusiasts from equipping and maintaining atypical sites with certain charm.
Sometimes on a viaduct in Chevreuse valley, sometimes in a former quarry in Saint-Vaast-lès-Mello, or another in Saint-Maximin, creativity was needed to gain some altitude and warm up the fingers. To create these quality vertical routes, route setters have thus competed in ingenuity to make the most of the available height. By giving a second life to these witnesses of the region's industrial past, it is all Île-de-France climbers who can indulge in their passion. Use the mobile application OneTopo to access these guidebooks with ease
Given the topography of the places, it is often vertical, athletic and continuous climbing that awaits those who venture there. Not necessarily used to this style of climbing, aficionados of Parisian bouldering gyms may have to lower their rating ambitions. Nevertheless, these sites remain accessible to everyone and are the assurance of a pleasant moment spent in nature. Not to be missed when good weather arrives!
Access can very often be done by public transport with a little prior preparation. Sometimes you will need to consult local bus schedules or put your bike in the RER to quickly access these sites.